Garrett Gilbert

Grade

Draft Analysis:

"(SMU head coach) June Jones grabbed me at East-West Shrine Game. He told me to put in some tape on Gilbert. If a coach is banging the table for his guy, I have to listen. So, I did that. He has some pocket feel and awareness. I like him as a guy you can develop in the long term. I like the arm talent." -- Mike Mayock

6'4" Height

30 5/8" Arm Length

221LBS. Weight

9 3/8" Hands

Analysis

Strengths

Outstanding size. Very good timing, touch and short accuracy. Can buy time in the pocket with his feet. Has NFL pedigree -- father played more than a decade in the league. Very strong pro-day showing, completing 87 of 88 passes and throwing well against air.

Weaknesses

Operated a dink-and-dunk passing game featuring a lot of high-percentage, lateral tosses and short crossers that heavily padded his completion percentage. Does not drive the ball on deep outs or possess a high-velocity arm to rip the ball through high winds. Has a low release point that leads to a lot of batted balls. Is not an elusive scrambler and eyes drop under duress.

Draft Projection

Round 7-Priority free agent

Bottom Line

A highly touted prep recruit who struggled to secure a starting job at Texas after cycling through three offenses in three years. Graduated early and transferred to SMU, where he settled down in a simplified system under the guidance of June Jones. Could fend for a job in a West Coast offense.
-Nolan Nawrocki